Method of implementing a VXML application into an IP device and an IP device having VXML capability

Abstract

A method of implementing a Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML) application in an Internet Protocol (IP) device, and an IP device having VXML capability, are disclosed. An IP device having a VXML browser is provided. A VXML script file containing a plurality of instructions for a particular VXML application is fetched into the IP device from a server via an IP network to which the IP device is connected. The fetched VXML script file is then parsed into an appropriate format, and an VXML engine in the VXML browser executes the instructions of the parsed VXML script file to establish an audio interface with either the user of the IP device or a user of another IP device that is connected to the IP network.

We I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for implementing a voice extensible mark up language (VXML) application in an internet protocol (IP) device, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a VXML browser in the IP device;    fetching from a server, via an IP network with which the IP device is in communication, a VXML script file containing a plurality of instructions for the VXML application;    parsing the fetched VMXL script file; and    executing at least some of the plurality of instructions in the parsed VXML script file to establish an audio interface with one of a user of the IP device and a user of another IP device that is connectable to the IP network.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of executing further comprises playing an audio data associated with the fetched VXML script file.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the played audio data comprises a request for user input as one of a menu selection and a form input.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of executing comprises the steps of: 
 extracting a text message from the parsed VXML script file; and    converting, via a text to speech (TTS) engine, the extracted text message into audio data defining speech corresponding to the text message.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the played audio data comprises a request for user input as one of a menu selection and a form input.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of executing further comprises receiving an input signal associated with one of said IP device and another IP device in communication with the IP network.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of verifying, via a speech recognition engine, the received input signal.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of verifying comprises identifying a user of the another IP device.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the input signal comprises at least one of a spoken input and a keyed input.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of editing the fetched VXML script file to customize the VXML application for a user of one of said IP device and another IP device that is connectable to the IP network.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an input command associated with the user of the another IP device that is connectable to the IP network;    identifying the user of the another IP device;    retrieving the edited VXML script file; and    executing instructions in the retrieved VXML script file to establish the audio interface with the user of the another IP device.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the IP device is an IP telephone.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the IP device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) device.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the IP device is a computer terminal.  
     
     
         15 . An internet protocol (IP) device having voice extensible mark up language (VXML) capability, comprising: 
 a network interface coupled to an IP network for communicating between the IP device and the IP network;    a memory storing a VXML browser and a VXML script file, wherein the VXML browser comprises a VXML engine, and wherein the VXML script file is initially fetched from a server coupled to the IP network and contains a plurality of instructions directed to a VXML application; and    a microprocessor coupled to said memory and to said network interface for executing the VXML engine and the plurality of instructions in the VXML script file to establish an audio interface with one of a user of the IP device and a user of another IP device that is connectable to the IP network.    
     
     
         16 . The IP device of  claim 15 , further comprising a speaker to output a played audio file associated with the VXML application.  
     
     
         17 . The IP device of  claim 16 , wherein said VXML engine is operable to direct a conversion, via a text-to-speech (TTS) server coupled to the IP network, of a text message into an audio file defining speech corresponding to the text message.  
     
     
         18 . The IP device of  claim 15 , further comprising an input means for receiving an input signal associated with another IP device connected to the IP network.  
     
     
         19 . The IP device of  claim 18 , wherein said VXML engine is operable to direct verification, via an automatic speech recognition engine coupled to the IP network, of the received input signal.  
     
     
         20 . The IP device of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a text-to-speech module coupled to said microprocessor for converting a text message in the VXML script file into an audio file defining speech corresponding to the text message; and    an automatic speech recognition module coupled to said microprocessor for verifying an input signal associated with a user of another IP device connected to the IP network.    
     
     
         21 . The IP device of  claim 15 , wherein said IP device is an IP telephone.  
     
     
         22 . The IP device of  claim 15 , wherein the IP device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) device.  
     
     
         23 . The IP device of  claim 15 , wherein the IP device is a computer terminal.  
     
     
         24 . A method for operating an internet protocol (IP) device of a local user to establish a communication session through an IP network between the IP device of the local user and an IP device of a remote user connected to the IP network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a VXML browser in the IP device of the local user; accessing from a server through the IP network a VXML script file containing a plurality of instructions for the VXML application;    parsing the accessed VMXL script file in the IP device of the local user;    executing at least some of a plurality of instructions in the parsed VXML script file to establish for the IP device of the local user an audio interface;    receiving a command from one of the IP device of the remote user and the IP device of the local user for requesting a connection between the remote and local user devices;    verifying, via a speech recognition engine, whether the received command is valid; and    if the received command is valid, establishing the communication session via the IP network between the local user and the remote user.    
     
     
         25 . The method of step  24 , further comprising the step of providing a reply to the IP device that transmitted the connection request.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the reply comprises a request for additional input as one of a menu selection and a form input.  
     
     
         27 . The method of step  24 , wherein said executing step further comprises the step of playing audio data on said on of said local user device and remote user device in accordance with the fetched VXML script file.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the input signal comprises at least one of a spoken input and a keyed input.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of editing the fetched VXML script file to customize the VXML application in the IP device of the local user for one of the IP device of the local user and the IP device of the remote user connected to the IP network.